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<br />. There being no further testimony, public hearing was closed. <br /> Consensus was to hold this item over until the next meeting. <br /> B. Ordinance Prohibiting Smoking in Certain Areas (memo and ordinance <br /> distributedt c - <br /> Mr. Henry stated that this ordinance would prohibit smoking in certain areas. <br /> All provisions of the ordinance are contained in the memo attached to the <br /> agend a. This ordinance is the result of disussions between councilors Obie and <br /> Schue following previous sessions of the council last spring. Substantial <br /> changes have been made. <br /> Public hearing was opened. <br /> Joyce Ow~n, 2830 Emerald, stated that she was speaking on behalf of the Asso- <br /> ciation for Non-Smokers Rights who claim that cigarette smoke is the number <br /> one health hazard in the United States. The association feels that non-smokers <br /> should not have to breathe secondhand smoke. Polls show that non-smoking <br /> areas are preferred. The Roper Organization conducted a survey and found <br /> that 60 percent of the non-smokers would rather be segregated. A smoking <br /> ban is favored in indoor places. The tobacco industry claims that courtesy <br /> is prevalent, but that is not so. All polls and surveys show that most Ameri- <br /> cans prefer non-smoking areas. They collected 18,000 signatures in the Eugene <br />. area last year toward a State referendum petition. The Eugene City Council <br /> members do not allow smoking at meetings. The City has fought to limit field <br /> burning and business people supported that without calling it government inter- <br /> ference, but that is what they are calling limiting indoor smoking. The tobacco <br /> industry says that these laws would be unenforceable but that is untrue. She <br /> feels the proposed ordinance is half-hearted and should be more inclusive. She <br /> feels the inclusion of all government places is a benefit to the ordinance but <br /> is disappointed that private work places were not included. Smokers should step <br /> outside instead of filling an employee lounge with smoke. Non-smoking areas <br /> that are provided should remain reasonably smokefree. She feels this ordinance <br /> should also include retail stores and banks, as well as jury rooms. She feels <br /> this ordinance should be on the cutting edge of public acceptance; however, <br /> public acceptance of this is way ahead of the ordinance being presented. <br /> Iris Chapman, PO Box 336, Lowell, does business in Eugene. She said that last <br /> month's Reader's Dlgest claimed that the greatest preventable cause of death <br /> at the present time is smoking. Those who choose not to smoke should not be <br /> forced to breathe the air where smoke is present. <br /> Philip Miller, 580 West 8th, Executive Director of the American Cancer Society, <br /> stated that cigarette smoke contains 30 carcinogens. Smoking is the most <br /> dangerous and preventable health hazard in the United States. More die each <br /> year from smoking than died in World War II. Cigarette smokers are a minority <br /> and people should have a choice. The ordinance is a good step in the right <br /> direction. <br />. <br /> MINllTES--Eugene City Council November 10, 1980 Page 7 <br />